Shepherds Friendly is extending its partnership with Nuffield Health, with the latter to now provide its rehabilitation support service, giving free access at point of claim to physiotherapy and mental wellbeing support.

The partnership between Nuffield Health and Shepherds Friendly is designed to help members better manage their physical and emotional recovery as part of their health and wellbeing journey.

Nuffield Health already provides a wide range of health and wellbeing services to Shepherds Friendly Income Protection members through its Enhanced Benefits package, including a Virtual GP service, an emotional wellbeing platform and discounted gym membership.

By extending this partnership, members will now benefit from Nuffield Health’s exceptional rehabilitation services and care. Some of the benefits provided to advisers’ clients by Shepherds Friendly through Nuffield Health include:

Emotional wellbeing

• Offers an extensive network of mental health practitioners and psychiatrists
• Access to an app to track their progress and recovery
• Provides a free 30-day gym pass at the end of treatment. This helps to support recovery, promote positive wellbeing, and help reduce the risk of future relapses

Physio

• Weekly video or telephone consultations with a physiotherapist
• Prescribed exercise content with support to help track progress within an app
• Online advice and educational resources and materials
• Access to over 4,000 physiotherapists
• Free 30-day gym pass at the end of treatment

Daniel Simpson, chief innovations officer at Shepherds Friendly, said: “Ensuring our members get the most from their Income Protection plan is important to us. Partnering with Nuffield Health, the UK’s largest healthcare charity, has allowed us to offer access to essential benefits such as physiotherapy and emotional wellbeing at point of claim, aiding a member’s recovery and their return to work sooner. These services support our mutual ethos of being there for our Income Protection members when they need it the most.”

James Pittick, corporate sales director at Nuffield Health, added: “Growing our partnership with Shepherds Friendly by providing mental health support and physiotherapy clinical services to their members fulfils Nuffield Health’s purpose to build a healthier nation. Our aim is to support members with fast access to the most suitable treatment plan to ensure they either maintain their wellbeing while working or support a timely return to work, removing further anxiety during these times of financial uncertainty.”